Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 34,762, Palfry Downing, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Downing Palfry for Palfrey
S. 34762
{ B.L. Wt. 3997-100.- Put. issued Oct. 13. 1791 to Asa Spaulding no papers.
CONTENTS

not G. W. St. Louis 11 June 1852 Yes to W. Stevens, 5 Feb 53
Repetition sent Oct 18 1820 to Rev. Salem Mass.
(543)
Massachusetts Roll
Ralphay Downing  4 Capt Farnum Sergeant Mass Line - 1777 - War
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 10 th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th of May 1818 and sent to Hon. Samuel Putnam  Salem, Mass.
Arrearages to 4 th Sept r 1818 4 months \frac{25}{30}  $38.66
{Revolutionary claims, {Act 18th March, 1818,}
Discontinued
Andover, Essex Co

Certificate of Heirs of Hugh Palfrey Downy f Probate Office

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Essex. ss.
Probate Office.
E. Edwird Lawrence
Register of Probate for said County of Essex, hereby certify that the facts hereinafter mentioned are of record in said office, viz: That Deft. Palfrey Downing late of Andover in said County, deceased, was a pensioner of the United States: that he died on the twenty-eighth day of September, A. D. 1835, leaving a widow, Abigail Downing, who deceased on the eighteenth day of November A. D. 1836, leaving three children and no more, viz: Samuel Downing and Temperance C. Bullard, who are still living, and Palfrey W. Downing, who died on the sixth day of May, A. D. 1851.
Witness my hand and seal of Office This tenth day of May A. D. 1852.
Edwird Lawrence.

Poem of city
Sam. Downey als
a William Stearns

Know all men by these Presents, that We Samuel Downing, & Temperance D. Bullard, Heirs and only surviving children of Serg t Palfrey Downing Late of Andover, Massachusetts, a Sergeant in the war of the Revolution - Nancy Down- ing, widow of John Downing, & Eliza Downing widow of Palfrey D r Downing Sons of said Serg t Palfrey Downing hereby constitute and appoint William Stevens of Lawrence in the County of Essex, Massachusetts, our true and lawfull Attorney for us and in our name to collect and to receive from the United States Govern- ment any sums of money or land, which may be due or coming to said Sergeant Palfrey Downing for his services in the war of the Revo- lution and all monies Land & pensions, which may be coming to said Sergeant Palfrey Downing or his Heirs or Representatives, by vir- tue of his services as aforesaid or for any other cause whatever & to give receipt acquittances therefor
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands & seals this thirtieth day of March Eight hundred fifty two Samuel Downing
Supra of
W m Rankin present at the signing of this paper by Temperance D. Bullard
Eliza Downing
Nancy M ch 18
Temperance D. Bullard

Franklin Edwards Mary T. Edwards
witness to the signature of Samuel Downy & Eliza Downy
Theodore Barnard
witness to the signature of Eliza Nancy Morse
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Ets. S. May 17 th 1852
Personally appeared Samuel Downy & Nancy Morse & made acknowledg- ment that their signature was their true act & deed
B. for me
Enoch Frye 3rd Justice of the Peace

To George W. Stevens Coast Survey Office Washington City D.C.

1852
Lawrence Mass. June 4 Dear George W. Stevens,
I rec the papers relation to the Amount due from the United States to the Heirs of S er g t Palfrey Downey,
As Attorney for the Heirs, I wish to obtain the whole amount coming to Polly Downing & still due, whether as original pension or increase of Pension - And if it were possible under the papers now furnished also the amount due to the widow Abigail Downing, who died Nov. 18. 1836 or 14 mo after her husband, as appears by the Probate, the Heirship of the applicants also appearing by the Same Certificate
But if both cannot be rec d under the present papers, I wish to obtain all, whether in record or otherwise, coming from Sgt Galfay Downey.
As I suggested in my last, I have found my name in blank , hereby authorizing you to fill it up, or Major Isaac I. Stevens, should you be absent from Washington, to enable you to give such receipt as the rules of the Pension Office may require, and authorizing you both or either, to make an extract in my name the paper of discharge
Agreeable - Every soul in that State better than New Jersey on the field of the ship - I think the same will be true the world will be freed and will see the North can give us several more months than, I am sure the U. S. and the

Some little time may elapse before I can get ready the papers relating to Mrs. Abigail Downing.
Should any certificates be needed, my friend Hon. Jas. H. Duncan M.C., would undoubtedly furnish them.
William Stowe

Palfray Downing - Serf
10 th Apr
✓

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Be it remembered, That Ralphy Downing of Andover in the County of Essex in the Commonwealth aforesaid, doth make upon oath the following DECLARATION, to wit,
That he enlisted into the service of the United States on the twenty-sixth day of February A.D. 1777, as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Benjamin Harrum in Col. d Francis' Regiment of the Massachusetts Line. and served the United States during the Revolutionary War against the common enemy from that time to the ninth day of June A.D. 1783, and was a Sergeant during the last four years of that period; that he was honourably discharged on the said ninth day of June 1783, at which time he was under Col. d Reese, Col. d Tupper's Regiment having been reduced. and that he received a badge of merit for faithful service six years.
I hereto annex my Discharge
That the Declarant is infirm; that from his reduced circumstances in life he is now in need of assistance from his country for support; and that he hereby relinquishes his claim to every pension heretofore allowed him by the laws of the United States.
Ralphy Downing

A F F I D A V I T.
I _____ of _____ in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, _____ do on oath depose and testify, That

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ESSEX, ff.
On this Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, personally appeared before me Samuel Putnam Esq re one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Common- -wealth of Massachusetts
the aforementioned Palfray Downing and in my presence severally subscribed and made solemn oath to the aforewritten Declaration and AFFIDAVIT , by them respectively made as aforesaid:—And it appearing to my satisfaction, that the aforementioned Palfray Downing served more than NINE MONTHS, to wit, from the twenty-sixth day of February A. D. 1777 to the ninth day of June A. D. 1783 at one period of the Revolutionary War, on the Continental Establishment, against the common enemy, I do hereby cer- tify the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, to the Secretary of the Department of War.
Given under my hand, and the seal of the Court a- foresaid, at Salem , this tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
S. Putnam Just
S. J. Court of Mass ts }
I Ichabod Tucker clerk of all the Judicial Courts of said State in & for the County of Essex do certify that the Hon ble Samuel Putnam is a Judge of said Supreme Judicial Court; that the above signature is his proper handwriting & that the seal hereto affixed is the seal of said court. Attest Ichabod Tucker, Clk. Salem Apr. 20 1818

5243
Palfray Downing May 1818 Not Paid
Not en U
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ESSEX ss.
At the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Middle Circuit, begun and holden at Salem, within and for the County of Essex, on the third Monday of June, A. D. 1820.
Present, Hon. SAMUEL DANA, Chief Justice. Hon. WILLIAM WETMORE, and Hon. STEPHEN MINOT, Associate Justices.
In open Court here, being a Court of Record for said Circuit, proceeding according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Palfrey Downing resident in Andover in said Circuit, who is named in Pension Certificate No. 543 now in his possession, of which the following is a true copy, to wit,
"WAR DEPARTMENT.....REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM."
"I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818, Palfrey Downing late a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the 10th day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
***** * L. S * *****
"Given at the War Office of the United States, this 14th day of May one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
J. C. CALHOUN, Secretary of War."
appears, and exhibits to the Court here a Schedule, subscribed by him, as follows, to wit,
SCHEDULE,
containing his whole estate and income, his necessary clothing and bedding excepted, to wit,
  1 desk valued at $4.00   18 chairs most of them old and ordinary 3.00   1 bureau 3.00 table 1.50 Looking glass 1.50 6.00   1 bible very old and imperfect 50 And irons shovel stones 67c 1.17   2 candle sticks & snuffers 25c light stand 25c .50   Plates cups and saucers & knives & forks the contents of a closet 3.00   Cheese press, churn, safe and sundry articles of trifling value 5.00   5 old pewter dishes some plates and porringers 1.50   brown ware & old parti-colored plates 1.00   1 iron kettle 67c pans 50c other iron articles 2.00 3.17   2 tin pails .67   old and irons shovels & tongs 1.00   1 pr sad irons 25c 1 old looking glass 15c .40   skimmers & bellows 35c 2 tables 1.50 chest 50c 2.35   1 table 25c case & broken looking glass 17c plates 1.10 .52   chest 10c 2 chests & drawers 75c .85   1 old chaise 15.00 sleigh 5.00 20.00   waggon 5.00 2 pigs 8.00 13.00   carpenter's tools and contents of shop 12.00 

  Amount brought over - - - - - $   Dwellinghouse one story high, joiners shop, barn & shed and about 1/3 acre land under and adjoining said house - - - } 200.00   2 cows - - - - - 25.00   1 piece of land bought of Amos Abbot - - - - - 75.00   1 do do bought of Samuel & Isaac Shattuck - - - - - 35.00   1 do do bought of Enoch Frye - - - - - 30.00   1 do do bought of Isaac Moore - - - - - 70.00   $ 514.73 
The aforementioned Palfry Downing is by trade a carpenter - his age 59 years - age of his wife 53 years - he has three sons and one daughter, Samuel aged 22 and John aged 18 yrs are at home - Samuel is a shoemaker at work for himself and boards with his father - John is at work with Samuel - said Downing from bodily infirmities and especially in consequence of an injury received in being thrown from a wagon is unable to labor as heretofore - said Downing further states that he owes John Preston of Danvers - - - - - 130.00 Richard Downing 70.00 Ann Palfry 53 - - - - - 123.00 Daniel Peters - - - - - 175.00
and other notes and accounts to more than the amount of the above appraisal - That sundry small balances which may be due to him will not exceed those due from him not included in the above statement - He has no source of income, nor is there any person to whom he can look for support in his declining years.
He enlisted February 26th, 1777 and served to the end of the war in the Companies of Farnham, Abbot & Mills, under Cols. Francis, Tupper & Wood in the Massachusetts line - during the war he was promoted to a sergeant and finally received an honorable discharge with the additional distinction of the badge of merit -
He was personally engaged in the retreat from

Ticonderoga and through the Campaign of taking Burgoyne - in the Monmouth battle - in taking Stony Point, at the taking of Cornwallis —
Palfry Downing
Attest Mark Newman
Sworn to & declared before Wm Wetmore Judge within named
and at the same time he produces to the Court here the following Oath, taken and subscribed by him, before the Hon. Wm Wetmore a Judge of said Court as aforesaid, to wit,
I, Palfry Downing do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. So help me GOD.
Palfry Downing
Essex, ss. C. C. C. P. June, Term, A. D. 1820.
Then the abovenamed Palfry Downing took and subscribed the aforesaid Oath before me
Wm Wetmore
Judge of said Court.
I, ICHABOD TUCKER, Clerk of the Court aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath, and Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is
eighty nine dollars  eighty nine dollars  seventy three cents  seventy three cents
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Salem, in said County of Essex, on this 17 th day of July — A. D. 1820
Attr. Ichabod Tucker, Clerk

340. 319.
No of orig Pay 319- REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
26 July 1828.
Palfrey Downing, — of Andover, — in the County of Essex. — in the State of Massachusetts. — has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Sergeant, — in captain Mills 's company, in the Fifth regiment of the Massachusetts line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing.
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, A. Dikins.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
29 th July 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to Palfrey Downing in the Massachusetts line
It further appears that Palfrey Downing - not - is now on the pension list of the  army - not - agency, and has been so since the 3 d March 1826 at the rate of  dollars per month.
Wm Hagner Secy
source e1029,022

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Downing, Palhey GRADE Private LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 3997 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Oct. 13, 1791 To Asa Spaulding
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.

March 1, 1940
Mr. Lewis E. Downing Hamilton Montana
BA-J/MCS Palfry Downing, S.34762
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request of February 21, 1940, for an abstract of the papers on file in the pension claim of Palfry Downing who served in the Revolutionary War and was from Andover, Massachusetts.
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in pension claim, S.34762, based on the Revolutionary War service of Palfry Downing.
The date and place of birth of Palfry Downing (personal signature Palfry Downing) and the names of his parents are not shown.
Palfry Downing enlisted February 26, 1777, place not shown, and served as private and sergeant with the Massachusetts troops under Captains Benjamin Farnum, Abbot and Mills, and Colonels Francis, Tupper and Joseph Vose, was at the capture of Burgoyne and in the battles of Monmouth, Stony Point, and at the taking of Cornwallis, and was discharged June 9, 1783, at which time he belonged to Colonel Joseph Vose's First Massachusetts Regiment.
Palfry Downing was allowed pension on his application executed April 10, 1818, at which time he was living in Andover, Essex County, Massachusetts.
Palfry Downing stated in 1820 that he was then fifty nine years of age, that his wife (name not stated) was fifty three years of age and he referred to three sons and a daughter, two of the sons were Samuel aged twenty two and John aged eighteen years but he did not give the names of the daughter and the other son. In that year, Palfry Downing referred to Richard Downing and Ann Palfry, relationship not shown.

Palfry Downing died September 28, 1835, in Andover, Massachusetts.
His widow, Abigail, died November 18, 1836. The date of their marriage and her maiden name are not shown.
Samuel Downing and Temperance D. Bullard, children of the soldier, Palfry Downing, were living in 1852 and Samuel Downing was living in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1854. The soldier's son, John, was dead in 1852 but was survived by a widow who signed as Nancy Morse but no explanation is made relative to Nancy having the surname Morse in 1852. Palfrey W. Downing, son of the soldier, Palfry Downing, died May 6, 1851, and his widow, Eliza Downing, was living in 1852.
There are no further discernible family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Heamix Papers Revolutionary Palfrey Downing Massa 1818 Admitted

Lawrence 18 Sept 1857
F. E. Hassler Esq -
Sir - I hereby authorize and empower you as my Attorney for me and in my name to examine all papers filed in any Department or Office of Government upon which a Revolutionary Pension was granted to Palfrey Downing on account of Military Services for the purpose of ascertaining if any claim exists whereby his heirs are entitled to any additional amount and for all other lawful purposes connected with a prosecution of such claim or any claim for Bounty land -
I am the son of the late Palfrey Downing - he served as Sergt in 1 st Mass Regt St. Cr Elizab. Bove Comd'g
Respectfully yours Israel Downing

Pension Office June 10. 1832
Sir,
In answer to the application of the heirs of Palmer Downing deceased for pension, I have to inform you that he was allowed a pension under the Act of 18. March 1818, at the rate of $100 per annum, and was struck from the rolls under the Act of May 1. 1820.
On the 3 August 1828, he was inscribed on the rolls under the Act of 15 May 1828, at the rate of $120 pr. ann. which amount he continued to receive until his death September 28. 1835, consequently no arrears are due the heirs.
Nothing is due the heirs in right of the widow unless she was married prior

to the last period of her husband's service
I am very Resp'd Your Obed't Serv't
To the Trustees for Comm r of pension Geo. W. Stevens Esq present.

Gen Johnston Chief Clk
To the Hon. The Commissioners Pension Washington City DC
Geo M Stevens, Coast Survey Office

Lawrence Mass. Jan'y 26, 1853
To the Hon.
the Commission of Pensions Washington City,
Del.
Some 15 mo s since the Heirs of Serg t  Downey Palfrey rec d a line from an individual in Florida informing them that about $540. was due to them for the services of their deceased father. At their request, I communicated with the Pension Office & rec d substantially the same information . Subsequently, having rec d from the Heirs of Palfrey Downey, power to act for them, I forwarded to the Office the usual vouchers, for their right to receive the amount due. I was informed, that Serg t Palfrey Downey had rec d all due to him & that there was no arrears or extra allowance to which the Heirs were entitled.
Under the peculiar circumstances of the case, & to satisfy the continued inquiries of the Heirs, will the Hon. Com n of Pensions allow further inves- -tigation to be made, to ascertain, how these differences of information have arisen & whether there are not funds behind, to which the Heirs are entitled -
Within the last 6 mo s , an Agency from the City of Washington to Mrs. Sarah Downey, has been requested, to obtain such arrearages. I trust, William Stone atty to Heirs of Palfrey Downey.

Paid
PAID
George W. Stevens or Office of Coast Survey Maj. S. S. Stevens Washington City D.C.

Massachusetts Roll act 15 May 1828.
Palmer Drowning, Set $120 per annum.
To what time last paid? Died 28 th Sept. 1835, Paid to his death 1828-35.
Pearson Efford Coll
M rs W. Dorgan

P. Downing
Act 1828
Settled at
Treasury
Cashed with Invalid's file
$ 34,762
Second
Payable on the 1 st March and 1 st Sept r . of each year, at the W. of Branch Bank in Little Boston.

340 (319)
Warrant in favor of Palfrey Downing as sergeant from Col: Elijah Nove dated 24 th April 1983

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim
I CERTIFY, That in conformity with the Law of the UNITED STATES, of the 18 th of March 1818, Palfrey Downing late a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of eight dollars  cents per month, to commence on the 10 th day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
GIVEN at the WAR OFFICE of the UNITED STATES, this 14 th day of May one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
J. C. Calhoun Secretary of War

340.
Palfrey Downing.

For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act, entitled "an act for the relief of certain surviving Officers & Soldiers of the army of the Revolution" approved on the 15th of May, 1828, I Palfry Downing of Andover in the County of Essex in the State of Massachusetts do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the in the Continental Line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued in its service untill its termination; at which period, I was a Sergeant in Captain Mills's Company, in the first Regiment, of the Massachusetts Line. And I also declare that I afterwards received certificates for the reward of eighty dollars; to which I was entitled, under a Resolue of Congress, passed the 15th of May, 1778.
And I further declare, that I was not, on the fifteenth day of May, 1828, on the pension List of the United States.
Witness my hand, this Thirteenth day of June in the year 1828
Palfry Downing
Before me Benjamin Merrill, a Justice of the Peace duly empowered to administer oaths in the County of Essex, in the State of Massachusetts personally appeared this day Hobart Clark Esquire, & Samuel Merrill Esquire of the said County who did severally make oath, that Palfry Downing by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier Sergeant in the army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand this 17th day of June in the year 1828.
Benj. Merrill Just. Peace

Essex p: I John Prince; Clerk of the Courts of the County of Essex in the State of Massachusetts do hereby certify that Benj Merrill Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn was at the time a Justice of the Peace duly em- powered to administer oaths.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord 1828.
John Prince; Clerk

Mr Downing's discharge is in War Office at Washington, he had a pension two years viz. 1818 & 1819 - but was afterwards struck off the list -
He wishes his money or pay sent here Boston June 27 th - Ch. Bradburn

BY HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq; General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.
THESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof Palfrey Downing Sergeant in the First Maryland Regiment, having faithful- ly served the United States Six years & four months and being enlisted for the War only, is hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army.
GIVEN at HEAD-QUARTERS the 9 th day
of June 1780
G Washington
By His Excellency
Command,
Sturtevant & Swift
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
Rev. Nathl. Bowles Adjutant.
THE above Palfrey Downing Sgt has been honored with the BADGE of MERIT for Six Years faithful Service.
- Joseph Vose Clk

HEAD-QUARTERS, June 9 th 1783.
THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Secretarys Office Boston Feb y 19 th 1803 These Certify that Mr. Palfrey Downing has received the benefit of the Resolves of the General Court of this Commonwealth and that discharge is delivered up by their direction — John Denny Secy
Downing
Palfrey Downing D.F. 134762 Mass.
Feb y 20 8 th 1803 Palfrey Downing

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
J. F. 34762
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190
In reply to your request of _____, received for a statement of the military history of Palfrey Downing a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 26. 1777 June 9. 1783 Pvt. + Sgt. Benjamin Farnum Francis Mass.   Abbot Tupper   Mills Elijah Dose   Goos  
Battles engaged in, Capture of Burgoyne, Monmouth, Stony Point, and  Taking of Cornwallis Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____
Date of application for pension, Apr. 10. 1818. His el. was al.
Residence at date of application, Andover, Essex Co. Mass.
Age at date of application, 57 yrs. He died Sept. 28. 1835 - in Andover  was b. 1767+
Remarks: Soldier's widow Abigail, died Nov. 18. 1836. Children were Samuel, Temperance D. Bullard, John whose wife was Nancy (he was not alive in 1852) and Palfrey W. who died May 6, 1851 leaving a widow Eliza.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Lewis E. Downing Hamilton Montana
Feb. 21, 1940
Called at office Feb. 21, 1940, & requested that abstract of papers in pension claim, Palfrey Downing, S 34762, be sent him.

I have just thought - perhaps I should be glad to have you - be the bearer of a few words from me to you Yours truly J. M. [?]
recd MAY 31 1912 aw

Spokane, Wash. May 23, '12.
Pension Office; Washington, D.C.
I wish to join the D.R.'s, knowing that I am entitled so to do, but have not the credentials on paper. Most of the persons who know, are passed to the other side of life; all I know is, that my great-grandfather's name was DOWNING, and that he was in either a New Hampshire or Massachusetts regiment. The family lived near the border of the two states, so I am uncertain from which state he went. I had the papers at one time, but they are lost.
Thanking you in advance for any effort you may make
for me ,
I am sincerely yours,
Mrs O. V. Roe
Box 413,
Spokane, Wash.
834762
I have just thought - perhaps Palfrey Downing might - be the name as that - is a family name
O.V.R.

AUG. B. TOLMAN, ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR-AT-LAW, 316 ESSEX STREET.
Lawrence, Mass., Jan. 11, 1898.
Hon. Com. of Pensions.
Sir.
Will you kindly inform me, of the claim of Palfrey Downing, a Revolutionary soldier, as to whether he ever received a pension or not?
Family tradition says he did, but we have nothing except tradition, and as a matter of family history would like to know officially.
We have obtained a copy of his record of service from the Rev. Archives in the State House in Boston.
In
Mrs. E. S. Tolman.

to Mrs - since Mass.
34 762 INVALID. Rev
Jan. 22/98. History E. S. Tollenan, Labor
File No. 84,762
1912 June 5 - Hist. to Mrs. O. V. Rae. V.M.
Alfred Downing Serg Rev War
1940 Mar. 1 hist. to Mr Lewis E. Downing M.C.D.
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index: -Vol. 2 , Page 113
[Arrangement of 1870.]